Jay Valai
| Buffalo Bills | |
|---|---|
| Title | Cornerbacks coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born | Euless, Texas, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | Wisconsin |
| Position | Cornerback |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
Jay Valai is an American football coach and former player, currently serving as the cornerbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL).[1]
Playing career
Valai was a four-year letter winner at Wisconsin as a defensive back where he served as a captain in 2010.[2] He earned second team All-Big Ten (coaches) honors in 2008 and 2009. He totaled 153 tackles, four forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in 48 career games.[3]
Coaching career
Early coaching career
Jay began his coaching career at Georgia as a defensive quality control coach, where he served in that position in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, he went to the NFL and coached under Andy Reid with the Chiefs as a defensive quality control coach.[4] In 2019, he returned to the college ranks as the cornerbacks coach for Rutgers.[5] In 2020, he went to his home state of Texas becoming the Longhorns cornerbacks coach.[6]
Alabama
After Texas fired Tom Herman, Valai left the program and on January 20, 2021, he was announced as Houston's cornerbacks coach.[7][8] However, he would change his mind and on February 1, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that they hired Valai as cornerbacks coach for the inaugural staff for Nick Sirianni.[9][10] However, twelve days later, Alabama announced that they hired Valai as the team's cornerbacks coach.[11][12]
Oklahoma
However, on January 11, 2022, Valai would move schools once again and become the co-defensive coordinator for Oklahoma.[13]
Buffalo Bills
On February 2, 2026, Valai was hired to serve as the cornerbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills under new head coach Joe Brady.[14]
Personal life
Valai and his wife Courtney have two daughters and a son.
References
- ^ https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bills-add-john-egorugwu-jay-valai-as-defensive-assistants
- ^ Schreiner, Craig (August 26, 2010). "Jay Valai, UW captains story". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Jay Valai | Football". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs reportedly hire Jay Valai as defensive quality control coach". Arrowhead Addict. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "TheKnightReport - Meet Rutgers Football new cornerbacks coach Jay Valai". rutgers.rivals.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Jay Valai - Football Coach". University of Texas Athletics. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ rewmillerssc (January 21, 2021). "Texas Football: Jay Valai joining Holgorsen's staff as CB coach". Hook'em Headlines. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Reports: Jay Valai to be hired by Houston as defensive backs coach". 247Sports. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ Gowton, Brandon Lee (February 1, 2021). "Report: Eagles add Houston cornerbacks coach to their staff". Bleeding Green Nation. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ Duarte, Joseph (February 1, 2021). "UH assistant coach Jay Valai leaves program after 12 days". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Eagles' assistant coach Jay Valai set to join Nick Saban's staff at Alabama". Eagles Wire. February 12, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ rewmillerssc (February 13, 2021). "Former Texas football CB coach Jay Valai hired by Alabama". Hook'em Headlines. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Oklahoma targeting Alabama assistant Jay Valai to be the next cornerbacks coach". Sooners Wire. January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ Rome, Nicholas (February 2, 2026). "Buffalo Bills poach rising star assistant coach away from Oklahoma". Saturday Blitz. Retrieved February 2, 2026.